Environmental works to help Fairbridge Village become an internationally-listed EcoVillage and conservation works on the Peel Waterways System at Mandurah are two of the six new Western Australian Green Corps projects, announced today by the Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor.
Mr O’Connor said projects were among 59 new Green Corps projects across Australia, which will help participants gain new skills as well as helping to conserve and restore Western Australia’s environment and heritage.
Green Corps is a federally funded program which provides young people aged 17-20 with the opportunity to participate in projects that conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s environment and cultural heritage.
Green Corps also aims to help community groups with restoration and rehabilitation of the environment and heritage assets. Each project consists of a team of young people, learning new skills and establishing links with their communities.
During the course of each 26-week project, participants work towards a minimum of a Certificate I qualification in horticulture, conservation and land management.
“Many young people enjoy the outdoor activities of Green Corps and are keen to contribute to environmental regeneration and heritage restoration,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Green Corps enables them to work with people of their own age under the supervision of a qualified team leader and gives them training in recognised skills that are designed to lead to full-time work opportunities in related fields.”
Mr O’Connor said that in line with its election commitment the Government had reviewed the current employment services including the Green Corps program.
“Following extensive consultation, the Government has designed a new, streamlined employment services system that will provide more streamlined and tailored services for job seekers,” he said.
“Under the new Employment Services System which begins from 1 July 2009 Green Corps activities will continue as part of work experience for job seekers.”
The six new WA projects include:
- Planning and minor construction works at Fairbridge Village, north of Pinjarra to help the site become recognised as an internationally-listed EcoVillage;
- Conservation of the Peel Waterways System, which is the largest in the south west of Western Australia and is listed as a wetland of international importance;
- Environmental works along the Batavia Coast, Geralton;
- Natural Resource Management in the Leschenault Catchment, Bunbury;
- Preservation and protection of the Rockingham Nature Reserve; and
- Youth Greening and Growing the Environment project at Kwinana.
All new projects are due to start in August. To find out more about participating in these projects visit www.greencorps.gov.au.